Shelving structure



Feb. 6, 1968 R. J. EVANS 3,367,291

S HELVING STRUCTURE Filed on. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 PI (53 INVENTOR.

ROBERT J. EVANS w agm 7% ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1968 v R. J. EVANS 3,367,291

SHELVING STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E m/ F167 20/ l l ,2

L\J\ 7 BY ROBERT J. EVANS ATTORNEYS R. J. EVANS SHELVING STRUCTURE Feb. 6, 1968 v 4 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed Oct; 23, 1965 INVENTOR. ROBERT J. EVANS I ATTORNEYS I Feb. 6, 1968 R. J. EVANS SHELVING STRUCTURE 4 $heets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25. 1965 INVZSN'IUR.

@0552? Q/M/VS M j %-=w 7 67: ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,367,291 SHELVING STRUCTURE Robert J. Evans, Aurora, 111., assignor to Aurora Equipment Company, Aurora, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 349,624,

Mar. 5, 1964. This application Oct. 23, 1965, Ser.

11 Claims. (Cl. Ills-64) The present invention relates generally to a new and improved shelving structure and components therefor.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application entitled Shelving Structure filed March 5, 1964, Serial No. 349,624, now abandoned.

In prior types of shelving structures or units, it generally has been the practice to mount each shelf on four angular L-shaped corner posts having key-hole slots. Each unit is manufactured with four corner posts and the shelves are vertically positioned with respect to one another and secured to the posts by means of slotted keys or studs. Where shelving structures or units have been mounted in side-by-side relation, the practice has been to position the side-by-side related units with adjacent corner posts engaged in side by-side abutment.

According to the present invention, shelving units can be mounted in side-by-side relation, but the side-by-side shelves along common sides are supported on only a single-set of corner posts rather than a double set of corner posts as formerly required, thereby enabling the units to be manufactured at a substantially reduced cost. According to another feature of the invention, the side panels may be provided with a third post disposed between the associated pair of corner posts.

An important object of this invention is to provide new and improved shelving structures or units where a reduced number of posts are required when the units are installed in side-by-side relation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved corner post.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved manner of connecting corner posts with shelves.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved shelf having flattened or cut-away corners for use in a knock-down shelving structure.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved center post for supporting shelves which can be readily installed on a vertical or upright side panel.

An important feature of this invention relates to providing corner posts each having a pocket for receiving an end of a vertical or upright side panel therein. According to other important features, the post is of a triangular construction and formed from a strip with ends of the strip being spaced defining the aforesaid pocket and with an end of the upright side panel adapted to be secured therein.

Still another important feature of this invention is to provide a new knock-down shelving structure having shelves disposed in end-to-end relation each having cutaway corners with contiguous corners on adjacent shelves defining post receiving pockets. In addition, a series of three-sided triangular corner posts are disposed in the pockets with side portions secured to the cut-away or flattened corners.

A still further important inventive feature is to provide a tight fastening between the post and the shelf increasing the rigidity of the post and the shelf rather than just hanging the shelf to the bracket.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein several embodiments and in which.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of several shelving unit's;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the shelving units shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of a corner of the shelving structure illustrating the components in exploded relation;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line IVIV looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a shelf;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a stud supporting bracket;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of corner posts secured in assembly with an upright panel;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 7 only illustrating a modified type of subassembly;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURES 7 and 8 only illustrating still another modified subassembly;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of modified shelving structures employing subassemblies of the type shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURES 11-14 are views similar to FIGURES 1-4 only illustrating a modified shelving structure;

FIGURE 15 is a partly sectioned front elevation of the shelving bracket illustrated in FIGURE 14; and

FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line XVXV looking in the direction of the arrow as seen in FIGURE 15.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numerals 10 indicate shelving structures or units which are mounted in side-by-side relation, as shown in FIGURE 1. The units 10 each include a series of vertically spaced shelves 11 mounted on three-sided triangular corner posts 12 embodying important features of this invention. A series of shelving brackets 13 and studs 14 are provided for securing the shelves to the corner posts 12 according to other important features of this invention. The components of the shelving structure are adapted to be shipped in knock-down form and to be readily assembled and disassembled with a minimum of effort. Essentially, the components of the shelving structure are adapted to be formed from sheet stock and preferably from a suitable metal such as steel. Other materials may also be used including certain types of plastics, if desired.

Each of the shelves 11 is provided with a top panel 15 and is peripherally bounded by underturned marginal flanges 16. A series of inwardly turned bracket supporting flanges 17 are joined with the lower free ends of the flanges 16. The inturned flanges 17 each terminate in a diagonal edge 17a which is remote from the associated corner 18 to provide ample space for the stud 14 on the bracket 13 to be moved into and out of the key-hole slot 25. The shelf 11 also is provided with four cut-away or flattened corners 18 which are each defined by a top panel edge 15a, and marginal flange edges 16a, 16a. These edges 15a, 16a and 16a coact together to define a corner recess 19 at each of the corners 18 of the shelf 11.

The posts 12 are each of a hollow triangular cross sectional configuration and include a central post leg 20 that is reinforced by vertically extending corrugations or ribs 20a. Each post 1 2 further includes side post legs 21 and 22 which converge in a direction away from junc tu-res between the legs 21 and 22 with the central post leg 20. The post legs 21 and 22 are slightly shorter in length than the post leg 20. The side post legs 21 and 22 terminate in parallelly extending end post legs 23 and 24 which are slightly spaced from one another a distance corresponding to the thickness of an upright side panel to be hereafter described in further detail. Vertically spaced along the length of the legs 21 and 22 are a series of key-hole slots 25. The headed studs 14 are adapted to be locked in assembly with edges defining the key-hole slots 25.

A series of side panels 26 comprised of a sheet material such as steel are provided for assembly between the posts 12. In order to assemble the side panels 26 with the posts 12, the posts are positioned so that the parallel post ends are disposed in confronting relation. These post ends 23 and 24 are spaced and define an upright post cavity 27 and either of the opposite ends of an associated side panel 26 are retainingly engaged therein. The ends 23 and 24 can be secured by any suitable means with the ends of the upright panel 26. In the shelving structure illustrated in FIGURE 4, the ends 23 and 24 are secured to the end of the panel 26 by means of spot welds 28. Excellent results are obtainable by manufacturing the panels 26 from 16-gauge steel.

Each of the studs supporting brackets 13 includes a central section 29. The stud 14, in the form illustrated, is formed as an extrusion from the material of the central section 29 or the stud can be formed as a separate part. The bracket 13 "further includes side sections 30, 30 disposed at opposite sides of the central section 29. Stud hea'd 14a is spaced from the central section 29 a distance slightly in excess of the width of the post leg associated therewith to enable the components to be assembled in rigid assembly. Upper and lower angled reinforcing flanges B1, 31 are joined with the central and side sections 29 and 30, 30 forreinforcing the bracket '13.

In order to assemble the components of my shelving structure, the panels 26 are initially assembled with the posts 12 in the manner previously described. The stud supporting brackets are then mounted on the inturned bracket supporting flanges or ledges 17 and the posts 12 are then engaged against the cut-away or flattened corners 18 of the shelf 11. The studs 14 are aligned with the post slots and then pushed through the key-hole slots 25 in the side post legs 21 and 22, such as is illustrated in FIG- URE 4. Thereafter, the shelves 11 are pushed downwardly to wedge the side surface of the stud 14 into wedged engagement within the keyhole slot 25. By providing a head 14:: on the stud, accidental disassembly of the stud 14 from the slot 25 is prevented.

After one shelving structure 10 has been assembled, another shelving structure may be mounted in the same manner at one side of the first assembled shelving structure as shown in FIGURE 1. The flattened corners 1 8, 18 illustrated in FIGURE 1, coact together to provide a post receiving pocket in which the post 12 is nestingly engaged.

In FIGURE 8 is shown a modified form of my invention wherein an elongated upright panel 26' is mounted between a pair of posts 12. Mounted midway between the ends of the panel 26' is a center or intermediate post 41. The center post 41 is comprised of a pair of center post plates 42. Each plate 42 has V-shaped or angular center post sides 43, 43 as well as a pair of ends 44, 44. The ends 44, 44 are disposed in a common plane in flush or butt engagement with a side of the elongated panel 26'. The ends 44, 44 are secured in welded assembly with the panel 26. The center post is adapted to be secured with the flattened corners 1 8 of the shelves 1=1 in the same manner previously described. To this end, studs may be retainingly engaged in key-hole slots 45 on the plate sides 43, 43. It will further be noted that the center posts 41 are of a square cross-sectional shape as opposed to corner posts 12.

A still further modified form of my invention is illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10. In this instance, the center post plate 42, 42 are joined with the elongated panel 26' by a series of suitable fasteners 46 such as sheet metal screws or nuts and bolts.

In FIGURES 11-16 there is shown a modified form of my invention with the modified shelf lbeing indicated at 11' and the modified stud bearing bracket being indicated at 13'. The shelf 11' differs over the shelf previously described in that the underturned flanges 17' are spaced a greater distance from the cutaway or fiat corner 18. The distance between the flat corner 18' and diagonal edges 17a is greater than the length of stud bracket angled legs 13a'-- 13a'. By thus modifying the shelf, the stud brackets 13 can be secured to the posts and then the shelves can be lowered from a top side position into engagement with the stud-supporting brackets.

The stud-supporting brackets 13' further differ from the brackets previously described in that each has a hollow head defining a hollow stud area. The hollow head 100 has a reduced hollow stud head section 102 and terminates in a flared annular or circular ring or stud head 103. It will thus be seen that the hollow stud 100 can be manufactured by piercing flat central stud bracket section 13.

The stud bearing bracket is also provided with antiturned tabs 104-104 which are stuck out of the central brackets 13b as shown in FIGURE 15. These tabs are positioned top side of the hollow stud head 100 and are adapted to coact with vertical edge areas 25a to resist turning of the assembled components with respect to one another.

In the assembly of the shelving components employing the modified shelf 11' with the flanges 17 of reduced length, the brackets such as the bracket 13' is initially assembled on the post 12 by engaging the stud head 100 in the keyhole slot 25. Hereafter, the shelf 11 is guided into position in such a way that the flattened or cutaway corners are positioned in assembled relation between the stud lbnacket 1'3 and the associated leg of the post 12.

From FIGURE 5 it will further be noted that the talbs 104 104 are positioned on the central bnacke't section 13b in such a way so that when the hollow stud end 100 is engaged in the key-hole slot, there is a slight clearance between the anti-turned tabs 104104 and the vertical slot edges 25a-25a to facilitate assembly of the components.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come Within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim:

1. In a knock-down shelving structure,

shelves disposed in end-to-end relation each having cutaway corners with contiguous corners on adjacent shelves defining post receiving pockets,

a series of three-sided triangular upright corner posts disposed in said pockets having portions operatively associated with said cut-away corners,

each of the posts comprising a single strip of material with opposite ends of the strip being disposed in spaced opposed relation defining an upright cavity therebetween, the posts being arranged in pairs having the upright cavities disposed in confronting relation, means joining sides of said posts with said cut-away corners enabling each of said posts to support shelves on its opposite sides,

upright panel means having ends retainingly disposed within said upright cavities, and

an intermediate post having V-shaped sides with ends butt engaged and attached with said panel means and with said last mentioned sides having vertically spaced key-hole slots for attachment with shelving.

2. For use with a shelving structure,

a pair of three-sided triangular corner posts each comprising a single strip of material with opposite ends of the strip being disposed in spaced opposed relation defining an upright cavity therebetween,

the posts having their upright cavities disposed in confronting relation,

upright panel means having ends retainingly secured with said ends within said upright cavities,

a center post comprising a pair of angular plates disposed on opposite sides of said panel means between said corner posts,

the plates each including angular sides projecting away from said panel and having vertically spaced slots carried thereon, the angular sides terminating in plate ends disposed in a common plane, and

means joining said ends with said panel.

3. For use with a shelving structure,

a pair of corner posts having post ends disposed in spaced opposed relation,

the posts having vertically spaced key-hole slots thereon,

upright panel means having ends retainingly secured with said post ends,

a center post comprising an angular plate disposed on one side of said panel means between said corner posts,

the plate including angular sides projecting away from said panel means and having vertically spaced slots carried thereon,

the angular sides terminating in plate ends disposed in a common plane, and means joining said ends with said panel means.

4. For use with a shelving structure as defined in claim 3, the panel means cornprisin a single sheet with said angular plate being intermediately docated between opposite ends of said single sheet.

5. For use with a shelving structure as defined in claim 3, the panel means comprising a pair of sheets disposed in end-to-end relation with adjacent ends of said sheets being joined by said angular plate.

6. In a shelving structure,

shelves disposed in end-to-end relation each having recessed corners and with adjacent recessed corners defining outwardly opening post receiving pockets,

a series of corner posts complementary to and disposed in said pockets and each having a pair of integrally connected inwardly convergently and outwardly flaringly related leg portions with each leg portion having vertically spaced slots for association with said recessed corners and with one of said leg portions engaging one of said recessed corners on one of said shelves and with another of said leg portions engaging one of said recessed corners on another of said shelves,

and projections extending outwardly from said recessed corners into and releasably engaged in said slots for supporting the shelves on the posts, wherein said corner post comprises an integrally formed triangular member having outwardly fiaringly related leg portions being integrally joined together at outer ends by a third leg portion the latter of which conceals the juncture of the projections with the slots, the corner posts comprising the outwardly fiaringly related leg portions and the third leg portion together comprising a single length of strip stock.

7. A shelving structure as defined in claim 6 including shelf engaging brackets from which said projections extend, each of said brackets including a central bracket portion carrying said projections, said projections each comprising a tubular ring-shaped stud with the stud being open at opposite ends and terminating as a flared lip on its outer end and being formed integral with the central bracket portion at its opposite end, said bracket being comprised of a single piece of material.

8. A shelving structure as defined in claim 7 wherein the central bracket is provided with tabs spaced above the tubular ring-shaped stud engageable with edges of the associated slot to prevent tilting of the shelf relative to the associated corner post.

9. A shelving structure as defined in claim 6 in which the projections comprise studs, and including shelf engaging brackets and with said studs being extruded from the material of the brackets.

10. A shelving structure as defined in claim 6 in which the said projections comprise studs extruded from shelf material at said recessed corners.

11. In a shelving structure,

a shelf having a central shelf portion and angular marginal shelf flanges about the perimeter and with the shelf having cut-away corners at the corner juncture of the angular marginal shelf flanges which are open at the bottom ends,

a series of corner posts complementary to said cutaway corners and having a pair of integrally connected convergently related leg portions with said leg portions having vertically spaced post slots for association with said cut-away corners, angular stud supporting brackets each having a stud engaged in an associated one of said post slots for enabling said posts to support shelves,

the shelf being mountable on the corner posts by positioning the shelf in overlying relation to the studs and moving the shelf downwardly engaging the cut-away corners of the shelf between the stud supporting brackets and the post and supporting the shelf by means of the studs, wherein said corner post comprises an integrally formed triangular member having convergently related leg portions being integrally joined together at outer ends by a third leg portion the latter of which generally conceals the cut-away corners, the corner posts comprising the convergently related leg portions and the third leg portion together comprising a single length of strip stock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,391 5/1907 Vorshardt 189-38 1,056,486 3/1913 Bales 108-109 1,283,964 11/1918 Taussig 248-243 1,554,011 9/1925 Lehman 108-107 1,689,481 10/1928 Gerberich 108-64 1,952,111 3/1934 Bales 108-107 1,996,518 4/1935 Levene 108-107 2,939,589 6/1960 Handler 108-144 2,948,409 8/1960 Wroblewski 211-148 2,990,067 6/1961 Bartlett 108-144 3,055,462 9/ 1962 Steele 248-243 3,065,860 11/1962 Swanson 108-106 3,082,711 3/1963 Vetere 108-107 FOREIGN PATENTS 164,103 10/ 1949 Austria.

632,482 12/1961 Canada.

568,100 10/1957 Italy.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner. 

1. IN A KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING STRUCTURE, SLELVES DISPOSED IN END-TO-END RELATION EACH HAVING CUTAWAY CORNERS WITH CONTIGUOUS CORNERS ON ADJACENT SHELVES DEFINING POST RECEIVING POCKETS, A SERIES OF THREE-SIDED TRIANGULAR UPRIGHT CORNER POSTS DISPOSED IN SAID POCKETS HAVING PORTIONS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CUT-AWAY CORNERS, EACH OF THE POSTS COMPRISING A SINGLE STRIP OF MATERIAL WITH OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE STRIP BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED OPPOSED RELATION DEFINING AN UPRIGHT CAVITY THEREBETWEEN, 